General Science

Memories of Underwear in Latin Class

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 19:42:51 +0000

This article was first published in The Montreal Gazette.

“You will understand the joke after taking this class.”

Although it was many decades ago, I remember my high school Latin teacher’s humorous attempt to justify why we should study this ancient language.

“Semper ubi sub ubi” was the pun to which she was referring. It literally translates as “always where under where” and sounds in English like “always wear underwear.”

Is There Really Magic in the Magic Eraser?

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 14:29:06 +0000

Sure, I thought, when I saw the claims on the box. “Mr. Clean Magic Eraser cleans dirt and grime like you never thought you could.” Well, I have a long-standing scientific interest in materials in the wrong place, which is exactly what dirt is. Mustard on the hot dog is fine, mustard on the tie is dirt. Getting rid of dirt means dissolving it in an appropriate solvent, reacting it with chemicals that will destroy it, or physically removing it by abrasion.

The Dogs That Speak: Breakthrough or Illusion?

Jonathan Jarry M.Sc. — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 18:54:32 +0000

In early September 2020, lightning strikes turned the forests of the West Coast of the United States into matchbooks. The fires recoloured the skies and their smoke veiled the sun. When that bright disk in the sky reappeared, at least one dog seemed to notice.

Not All Scientific Papers Advance Science

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 18:06:32 +0000

This article was first published in The Montreal Gazette.

Research is the engine of science. But that engine should not be idling, it should be steadily propelling science forward. The extent of that forward motion is to be found in the estimated 10,000 papers spewed out every day by the world’s 45,000 or so peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Sustainable Until Disposal

Sophie Tseng Pellar BSc — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Something I’ve noticed lately is that it has become nearly impossible to buy anything without being informed that it is somehow saving the Earth. Toothbrushes are sustainable. Laundry detergent is eco-conscious. Garbage bags are, counterintuitively, biodegradable. At this rate, even my impulse purchases are apparently participating in climate action.

You Do Not Have a Lizard Brain

Jonathan Jarry M.Sc. — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 19:07:10 +0000

Inside you are three animals: a primitive crocodile, a panicky mouse, and a pragmatic human being.

Seeing Turmeric in a New Light

Angelina Lapalme — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 02:56:47 +0000

As you could probably tell by spending two minutes in my presence, I love chemistry. It’s part of who I am. To some people, that might get a little annoying, but I promise I know to tone down the chemistry nerdiness depending on my audience. While learning the technical information is great and all, what really excites me is seeing chemistry in action, especially when it catches me by surprise.

The Case of the Missing Coffee Cup

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +0000

This article was first published in The Montreal Gazette.

Where did the coffee cup go?

It is a demonstration that never fails to draw oohs and ahhs from students. Pour a small amount of acetone into the bottom of a beaker and drop in a foamed plastic coffee cup. It instantly seems to melt into the liquid and within seconds just vanishes.

Shedding Light On the Magical Finale of Phantom of the Opera

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 22:25:50 +0000

This article was first published in The Montreal Gazette.

“It’s a de Kolta chair!”

The Chemical Legacy of Louis Pasteur

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 22:01:51 +0000

Louis Pasteur is buried in an elaborate mausoleum at the Institute Pasteur in Paris where mosaic tiles on the tomb commemorate various aspects of the great man's scientific life. A flock of sheep, for example, represents his work on the anthrax vaccine and a dog reminds us of his conquest of rabies. But almost hidden in the ornate tableau is the phrase "une dissymmetry dans les molecules" or, in English, "molecular dissymmetry."

Intense Back Pain Led Me From Outer Space to the Inside of a Cell

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Thu, 21 May 2026 15:03:44 +0000

This article was first published in The Montreal Gazette.

My knowledge of anatomy is rather limited, so I wasn’t too surprised that I had never heard of the “multifidus” muscles that line the spinal column and have the task of supporting movement of the vertebrae. Neither had I heard of the “transversus abdominis” muscles in the abdomen that act as a natural corset, stabilizing the lumbar spine.

Red Cabbage Does Not Know the Sex of Your Baby

Angelina Lapalme — Fri, 15 May 2026 19:07:20 +0000

Old wives’ tales were the original social media trends. One person would try something new to fix a problem, convinced themselves that it worked, and pass the tip along to their friends and children until it spread, slowly. Today, these tales still circulate but their reach has exploded thanks to the invention of a story teller’s most powerful tool: the internet. And now, it seems that red cabbage is having its moment.

The Fascinating History of Magic’s Most Famous Illusion

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:19:01 +0000

This article was first published in The Montreal Gazette.

On Jan. 7, 1921, the audience at London’s Finsbury Park Empire theatre was introduced to what was destined to become the most famous illusion in magic.

Thermal Clothing: Lessons in Engineering

Eva Kellner B.A.Sc. — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

As soon as the temperature dips below 0ºC, you will find me covered head to toe in thermal clothing. I am not picky when it comes to brands, although I do love Uniqlo’s HEATTECH. As long as I am warm, I am game. However, when it comes to shopping for these products, the magic word among the stock seems to be “moisture-wicking.” It turns out the science behind moisture-wicking plays a pretty significant role in why certain fibers and fabrics are off the table when it comes to layering up.

Alchemist’s Urine Wasn’t a Philosopher’s Stone

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:48:00 +0000

This article was first published in The Montreal Gazette.